Antimony-Doped Tin(II) Sulfide Thin Films

Thin-film solar cells made from earth-abundant, inexpensive, and nontoxic materials are needed to replace the current technologies whose widespread use is limited by their use of scarce, costly, and toxic elements. Tin monosulfide (SnS) is a promising candidate for making absorber layers in scalable, inexpensive, and nontoxic solar cells. SnS has always been observed to be a p-type semiconductor. Doping SnS to form an n-type semiconductor would permit the construction of solar cells with p-n homojunctions. This paper reports doping SnS films with antimony, a potential n-type dopant. Small amounts of antimony (1%) were found to greatly increase the electrical resistance of the SnS. The resulting intrinsic SnS(Sb) films could be used for the insulating layer in a p-i-n design for solar cells. Higher concentrations (5%) of antimony did not convert the SnS(Sb) to low-resistivity n-type conductivity, but instead the films retain such a high resistance that the conductivity type could not be determined. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis reveals that the highly doped films contain precipitates of a secondary phase that has chemical bonds characteristic of metallic antimony, rather than the antimony–sulfur bonds found in films with lower concentrations of antimony.United States. Dept. of Energy. Sunshot Initiative (Contract DE-EE0005329)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CBET-1032955

Изучение образовательных потребностей специалистов сферы обращения лекарственных средств

Early determination of educational needs of specialists is one of the most important tools of improving teaching and learning activities within the system of continuing professional education. For this purpose the Center of Educational Programmes of the FSBI «SCEEMP» has surveyed about 350 specialists engaged in the sphere of medicines circulation. The survey respondents participated in seminars and professional development programmes, which were provided by the Center of Educational Programmes in 2014. This article presents the results of this opinion poll.Своевременное выявление образовательных потребностей профильных специалистов является одним из важнейших инструментов совершенствования учебного процесса в системе дополнительного профессионального образования. С этой целью в Центре образовательных программ ФГБУ «НЦЭСМП» Минздрава России был выполнен социологический опрос более 350 специалистов, занятых в сфере обращения лекарственных средств и обучавшихся на тематических семинарах и программах повышения квалификации Центра образовательных программ в 2014 году. В данной статье представлены полученные результаты проведенного социологического опроса

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. Methods: The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. Findings: We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2–11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75–1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58–1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91–1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70–1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11–0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50–0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38–0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45–0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Interpretation: Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. Funding: Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study

Background Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. Methods The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. Findings We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2–11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75–1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58–1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91–1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70–1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11–0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50–0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38–0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45–0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Interpretation Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. Funding Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE VALUE SPACE FORMATION IN THE FAMILY

The article is dedicated to the comprehensive study of environmental rights, as in the material and the spiritual spheres. The crisis of spirituality, the space value change caused by the different standards of living of families demonstrate changes in the soul of the people. It is necessary to find possible ways of optimizing the spiritual state of young generation

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE VALUE SPACE FORMATION IN THE FAMILY

The article is dedicated to the comprehensive study of environmental rights, as in the material and the spiritual spheres. The crisis of spirituality, the space value change caused by the different standards of living of families demonstrate changes in the soul of the people. It is necessary to find possible ways of optimizing the spiritual state of young generation

Pharmacogenetic aspects of eprosartan therapy and polymorphic markers of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system genes in Uzbek patients with essential arterial hypertension

Aim. To investigate antihypertensive and anti-remodeling effects of eprosartan in Uzbek patients with essential arterial hypertension (AH), taking into consideration renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system genetic polymorphism.Material and methods. The study included 48 Uzbek men with Stage I-II AH. Left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass was assessed by echocardiography (EchoCG), LV diastolic function — by Doppler EchoCG. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes according to standard protocol, using the Diatom TM DNA Prep 200 kit. AGT, ACE, AT1R, and CYP11B2 gene polymorphism was investigated by gene amplification and primer PCR method. Eprosartan monotherapy lasted for 12 weeks.Results. Twelve-week eprosartan therapy was associated with a good antihypertensive effect, LV hypertrophy regression, and LV diastolic function improvement, regardless of ACE gene I/D polymorphism, AGT gene M235T polymorphism, AT1R gene A1166C polymorphism, or CYP11B2 gene C344T polymorphism.Conclusion. Antihypertensive effectiveness of eprosartan was independent of AGT, ACE, AT1R, or CYP11B2 gene polymorphic markers. LV hypertrophy regression during eprosartan treatment was associated with DD genotype of ACE gene I/D polymorphism, TT genotype of AGT gene М235Т polymorphism, AA genotype of AT1R gene А1166С polymorphism, and CT genotype of CYP11B2 gene С344Т polymorphism

Neutral Lipids of Oats Fruit (Avena Sativa L.)

Introduction. Lipids are a widespread group of biologically active substances in nature, making up the bulk of the organic substances of all living organisms. They accumulate in plants in seeds, as well as in fruits and perform a number of vital functions: they are the main components of cell membranes and the energy reserve for the body.Aim. Study of neutral lipids of sown oats (Avena sativa L.).Materials and methods. The objects of the study were fruits (grains) of oats of the sown variety "Tashkent 1," harvested in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Results and discussions. Neutral lipids of oat grains have been found to contain 13 fatty acids with a predominance of the sum of oleic, linolenic and linoleic acids. The total degree of unsaturation was almost 78%. Absorption bands characteristic of these substances were observed in the IR spectrum of MEGC.Conclusion. According to the results of the NL analysis, oat grains consisted of triacylglycerides and free LCDs, which were accompanied by hydrocarbons, phytosterols, triterpenoids and tocopherols

Anti-remodeling efficacy of eprosartan in patients with essential hypertension, and gene polymorphism of angiotensin II type 1 receptors

Aim. To study the effects of long-term eprosartan treatment efficacy on myocardial structure and function in patients with essential arterial hypertension (EAH), and the association of these effects with structural polymorphism of angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT2RI). Material and methods. The study included 121 males with Stage II-III EAH (WHO/ISH, 1999), mean age 49.09±8.34 years, with disease duration of 2-15 years. Central hemodynamics parameters and left ventricular myocardial mass (LVMM) were assessed by echocardiography (EchoCG) method. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was identified, according to the values of LVMM and LVMM index (LVMMI). LVH was diagnosed in LVMMI &gt;134 g/m2. LV diastolic filling was assessed with Doppler EchoCG, by peak rates of early and late filling, and their ratio. Endothelial function was investigated with Doppler ultrasound. Prevalence of alleles and genotypes of polymorphic fragments (A1166C) of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene was studied. The association of A/C polymorphism with hemodynamic parameters, LVH markers, endothelial function (EF), and eprosartan monotherapy efficacy, was also investigated. Results. A significant prevalence of A-allele and AA-genotype of AT1RII gene A1166C-polymorphic marker was observed. AC+CC genotypes were associated with more severe LVH, LV diastolic dysfunction, and EF disturbances. With equally high antihypertensive efficacy of 3-month eprosartan therapy, only AA-genotype patients demonstrated substantial LVH regression and complete normalization of vasoregulatory EF. Conclusion. Eprosartan demonstrated high antihypertensive efficacy in all participants. But only among AA-genotype patients, substantial LVH regression and complete normalization of vasoregulatory EF was observed during 3-month eprosartan therapy

Study of educational needs of specialists in the field of medicines circulation

Early determination of educational needs of specialists is one of the most important tools of improving teaching and learning activities within the system of continuing professional education. For this purpose the Center of Educational Programmes of the FSBI «SCEEMP» has surveyed about 350 specialists engaged in the sphere of medicines circulation. The survey respondents participated in seminars and professional development programmes, which were provided by the Center of Educational Programmes in 2014. This article presents the results of this opinion poll